Former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator heads back to the NFL

BLACKSBURG, VA - JANUARY 30: Virginia Tech Hokies introduce new defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes during a college basketball game between the and Notre Dame Fighting Irish the Virginia Tech Hokies in Cassell Coliseum on January 30, 2025, in Blacksburg, VA(Photo by Brian Bishop/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

When former Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry hired Sam Siefkes as defensive coordinator last year, there was a lot of intrigue. Primarily because no one knew anything about Siefkes. A former defensive coordinator at Wisconsin-Platteville and Wofford, Siefkes had spent the previous four seasons working in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.

Unfortunately, things didn't go great for Siefkes and the Hokies in 2025. Not all of it was his fault, of course, as there was a talent deficit. Additionally, when Pry was fired in September, multiple players quit, further putting the Hokies at a disadvantage.

Interestingly enough, the man replacing Siefkes is Pry. As for Siefkes, he's heading back to the NFL after one season in Blacksburg. Matt Zenitz of CBS reports that the Green Bay Packers and new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon are hiring Siefkes as a linebackers coach. It's a reunion for Siefkes, as he spent the 2023 season on Gannon's Arizona staff. Gannon replaces Jeff Hafley, who left the Packers to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Gannon was fired earlier this month after three seasons leading the Cardinals.

The #Packers are expected to hire Sam Siefkes as a linebackers coach, sources tell @CBSSports.

Was Virginia Tech's defensive coordinator this season. Before that, was linebackers coach for the Cardinals under new Packers DC Jonathan Gannon. pic.twitter.com/t5bKK9LOvJ

- Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 29, 2026

Siefkes coached linebackers for Gannon and the Cardinals in 2023 and 2024. A Wisconsin native, Siefkes returns home to resume his NFL coaching career.

As for the Hokies, Pry was rehired in December to serve as James Franklin's defensive coordinator, a job he held under Franklin at Vanderbilt and Penn State.